THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN PUBLIC POLICY FORMULATION: REPRESENTATION AND SOCIAL IMPACT

Abstract

This capstone paper investigates how the presence of women in politics impacts the creation of public policies. The research, which combined a literature analysis with an interview with a city councilwoman from the Northeast of Brazil, shows that female representation isn't just symbolic. Leaders who bring their personal and intersectional experiences to politics, like the interviewee, are able to create more concrete and effective policies, such as the Maria da Penha Law. The conclusion is that women's participation is crucial for a more just democracy and that mechanisms to combat gender-based political violence must be strengthened.